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Boston vs Los Angeles: prices, pay and housing
| Boston, MA | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 108.3 | 113.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $89,620 | $77,270 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $66,620 | $55,850 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $82,778 | $68,040 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $67,717 | $60,080 |
| Typical home value | $741,868 | $968,608 |
| Median household income | $112,484 | $93,525 |
| Home price / household income | 6.6 | 10.4 |
| Metro population | 4,917,661 | 13,012,469 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Boston to Los Angeles
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Boston to Los Angeles, multiply your salary by 1.049.
| Salary in Boston | Same buying power in Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Boston | $52,448 in Los Angeles |
| $75,000 in Boston | $78,672 in Los Angeles |
| $100,000 in Boston | $104,895 in Los Angeles |
| $150,000 in Boston | $157,343 in Los Angeles |
| $200,000 in Boston | $209,791 in Los Angeles |
Salaries for common jobs in Boston and Los Angeles
| Job | Boston | Los Angeles | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,240 | $35,890 | $39,015 / $31,603 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,230 | $41,080 | $33,464 / $36,173 |
| Retail Salespersons | $40,320 | $43,010 | $37,242 / $37,872 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,500 | $44,070 | $42,950 / $38,806 |
| Office Clerks, General | $52,880 | $50,980 | $48,843 / $44,890 |
| Cashiers | $37,260 | $39,550 | $34,415 / $34,826 |
| Registered Nurses | $121,820 | $140,370 | $112,519 / $123,602 |
| General and Operations Managers | $163,800 | $157,110 | $151,294 / $138,342 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,620 | $42,400 | $37,519 / $37,335 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,340 | $42,640 | $41,878 / $37,546 |
| Security Guards | $45,640 | $43,880 | $42,155 / $38,638 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,900 | $43,050 | $42,396 / $37,907 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $108,660 | $99,740 | $100,364 / $87,826 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,740 | $53,500 | $49,637 / $47,109 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,420 | $61,230 | $59,502 / $53,916 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Boston vs Los Angeles: questions
Is Boston more expensive than Los Angeles?
No. BEA prices are 108.3 in Boston, MA and 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Boston?
About $104,895, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Boston or Los Angeles?
Boston, MA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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